Replacing helmets.

[yello]

I wouldn't underplay the role of confidence when making such decisions.

If you start feeling that your bike helmet might be compromised in some way, you don't trust it and are thinking of replacing in, then if I'd replace it if I were you.

And that's advice quite aside from whatever I personally think of the effectiveness of helmets.

 

[bpsmith]

Motorbike helmets have similar timescales. I had one for 5 years and the inner foam backing was flaking off and the core above it starting to wear from oils and hair gel reacting with it. Physical exterior damage is one thing and easy to see. Internal damage is another thing that could go unnoticed. That's part of their advisory timescales. The other part is getting you to buy helmets more regularly. There's a balance somewhere in between.

 

[davegreg]

If you inclined to wear a helmet then you may wish, also, to follow the manufacturers advice on frequency of replacement (e.g Giro say three years). I doubt very much that helmet technology moves that quickly.

Totally agree. I don't think the technology can move so fast.